Our View: National park has come to the rescue

If you ever wondered about the confusing patchwork of state and national parkland that contains much of Del Norte County’s old-growth redwoods and coastal trails, question it no longer.

Like the cavalry in an old Western, the National Park Service has literally come to the rescue of California State Parks.

As a result, Del Norters and visitors — about 94,000 annually — will retain access to thousands of acres of some of the finest natural resources on God’s green Earth.

In a cost-cutting move that frankly seems more punitive than
economically efficient, the state has announced plans to close 70 parks.
That included its fifth-largest, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
south of Crescent City.

Think of it: The state was looking to shut off access to 2,514 acres
of the tallest trees in the world and 21 miles of hiking paths,
including two stretches of the California Coastal Trail.

This would have taken away the exhilarating thousand-foot descent to
the sea on Damnation Creek Trail, the chance to follow the Old Redwood
Highway on the Last Chance Section of the Coastal Trail and some of Del
Norte’s very best hiking trails surrounding Mill Creek Campground and
along the Coastal Trail’s northern DeMartin Section.

An agreement announced Thursday by the NPS and state parks also
ensures that the campground itself will reopen next Memorial Day weekend
for its traditional season lasting through Labor Day. Unfortunately,
access to other parts of the Mill Creek Watershed will still be cut off.

State and national parks officials have long cooperated in Del Norte
County, sharing resources while still retaining their autonomy. It’s a
complicated relationship, but also a highly functional one.

By stepping in to preserve the most vital features of Del Norte Coast
Redwoods State Park, the NPS is spreading itself thin. Services will be
affected, maintenance deferred.

The NPS in general, and Redwood National Park Superintendent Steve
Chaney in particular, deserve our praise and thanks.

In an era of political dysfunction, it’s inspiring to see government
officials roll up their sleeves, tackle a challenge and succeed.

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